Control of Air Pollution from Airplanes and Airplane Engines: GHG Emission Standards and Test Procedures - Final Rulemaking
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Rule Summary
In this action, EPA is finalizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards that apply to certain new commercial airplanes, including all large passenger jets. These standards match the international airplane carbon dioxide (CO2) standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2017. This action implements EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act and maintains the worldwide acceptance of U.S. manufactured airplanes and airplane engines.
- Final Rule (PDF) (39 pp, 3.3 MB, published January 11, 2021, About PDF)
- EPA Final Airplane Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards Fact Sheet - Resource Information(PDF) (2 pp, 115 K, December 2020, EPA-420-F-20-057, About PDF)
Rule History
In 2015, EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that provided information on the process for setting international carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards for aircraft at ICAO, and described and sought input on issues related to setting an international CO2 standard for aircraft, and the potential use of section 231 of the Clean Air Act to adopt a corresponding aircraft engine standard domestically. Also in 2015, under section 231(a) of the Clean Air Act, EPA proposed findings that GHG emissions from certain classes of engines used in aircraft contribute to the air pollution that causes climate change endangering public health and welfare. In 2016, EPA finalized these findings, which triggered a requirement for EPA to promulgate standards addressing GHG emissions from engines on covered aircraft. To begin the process of following through on that requirement, in August 2020, EPA proposed GHG emission standards for these engines. Today’s action finalizes these standards and fulfills the requirement triggered by the findings.
More information on the Endangerment Findings and Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
Additional Resources
- Technical Support Document (PDF) (171 pp, 8 MB, December 2020, EPA-420-R-20-028, About PDF)
- Response to Comments (PDF) (341 pp, 5 MB, December 2020, EPA-420-R-20-027, About PDF)